Aretha Franklin the long-reigning "Queen of Soul" who had countless hits ranging from "Respect" to "Freeway of Love" to "I Knew You Were Waiting" (the latter with the late George Michael)died Aug. 16 at age 76.

The reported cause of death was pancreatic cancer.

"In her voice, you can hear the redemption and the pain, the yearning and the surrender, all at the same time," musician Bonnie Raitt told Rolling Stone in 2003, the publication noted.

Born in Memphis on March 25, 1942, Franklin seemed destined to be a gospel-music star: Her father was the renowned and popular Rev. C.L. (Clarence LaVaughn) Franklin and her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin, was also a gospel singer.

She signed to Columbia Records in 1960; in the mid-1960s, she signed with Atlantic Records, and later recorded a string of hits, including "Think," "Chain of Fools" and one of her two number-one pop hits, "Respect." ("I Knew You Were Waiting," recorded in 1987, was the other.)

Many celebrities paid tribute to Franklin on social media. Shonda Rhimes tweeted Franklin's iconic performance at the Kennedy Center that saluted Carole King, while King herself tweeted, "What a life. What a legacy! So much love, respect and gratitude. R.I.P." Out Apple CEO Tim Cook posted, "We mourn the passing of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Her voice will keep lifting us, through the music she gave the world. Our thoughts are with her family, her loved ones and fans everywhere. Take her hand, precious Lord, and lead her home."

In addition, the people behind Hightland Park venue Ravinia issued a statement: "This isn't the first time Aretha had us all crying.

"This once-in-10-lifetimes talent took us to church over the radio in very turbulent times and in joyous times. She was an absolute joy to know, and in a way we all knew her. That's what makes it especially hard when someone who was so much a part of our social fabric leaves us, and we have no personal way of saying goodbye. Put the records on. Let the tears flow. And pay her the respect that both the song and her life demanded."

A list of concert dates followed, ranging from 2003 to 2017.

Franklin amassed 44 Grammy nominationswinning 18and became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Franklin's funeral will be held Friday, Aug. 31, in her hometown of Detroit. The funeral, to be held at Greater Grace Temple, is limited to her family and friends. Public viewings will take place Aug. 28-29 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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